The Scofield Reference Bible on "Repentance"

Repentance, in O.T., Summary, Zechariah 8:14, note:

Repentance (O.T.), Summary: In the O.T., repentance is the English word used to translate the Heb. nacham, to be "eased" or "comforted." It is used of both God and man. Notwithstanding the literal meaning of nacham, it is evident, from a study of all the passages, that the sacred writers use it in the sense of metanoia in the N.T.—a change of mind. See Mt. 3. 2; Acts 17. 30, note. As in the N.T., such change of mind is often accompanied by contrition and self-judgment. When applied to God the word is used phenomenally according to O.T. custom. God seems to change His mind. The phenomena are such as, in the case of a man, would indicate a change of mind.¹

Repentance, in N.T., Summary, Acts 17:30, note:

Repentance is the trans. of a Gr. word (metanoia—metanoeo) meaning, "to have another mind," "to change the mind," and is used in the N.T. to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Cor. 7. 8-11), but sorrow for sin, though it may "work" repentance, is not repentance. The son in Mt. 21. 28, 29 illustrates true repentance. Saving faith (Heb. 11. 39, note) includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance.²

ENDNOTES:

¹ C. I. Scofield, The Scofield Reference Bible (New York: Oxford University Press, 1917), p. 972.

² Ibid., p. 1174.